Eco-tourism push sparks conservation fears

Conservationists say environmental protections should not be wound back as part of a plan to stimulate eco-tourism in Queensland.

Premier Campbell Newman says regulations will be relaxed to encourage tourism ventures in national parks.

He says slashing 'green tape' is key to a tourism plan developed at an industry conference this week.

The Wilderness Society's Tim Seelig says the move could lead to destructive activities and development.

"Reducing red tape in national park access could well be code for winding back national park protections and of course that would be something wholly opposed by the conservation sector, but of course would also be counterproductive to the whole concept of eco-tourism," he said.

Mr Seelig says conservationists will scrutinise the plan, which will loosen restrictions on activities such as horse-riding in national parks.

"Horse-riding itself in low-level instances may not have a major direct impact but the conservation movement's concern is it's the thin edge of the wedge," he said.

"So horse riding rapidly transfers to open slather on four-wheel drive access, on trail bike access and so on."

'Stymied'

The Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister, Gavin King, says moves to slash 'green tape' could lead to exciting new eco-tourism ventures in the state's far north.

Mr King says the far north has huge potential as an eco-tourism destination.

"We've seen a willingness in the past from private industry and the private sector ... they want to open new eco-tourism experiences but for so long they have been stymied and effectively strangled by green tape," he said.

A Gold Coast tourism executive says it is time to allow sensitive development in Queensland's national parks.

The CEO of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Jonathan Fisher, chairs a steering committee for National Landscapes - a partnership between Parks Australia and Tourism Australia.

"Where there's a conflict then of course conservation has to come forward but there are plenty of incidents I think where access has been unreasonably denied and there's a feeling they have been over-protected in some key areas," he said.

"It's about time that we carefully relax that and open it up so we can regain our number one position as [the] eco-tourism capital of the world.

"Queensland parks and wildlife have spent a lot of money on looking after their areas and they have done a really good job.

"They have spent a lot of money on interpretation but they haven't promoted that as part of a tourism product, so we want to build on that now and encourage people to come in and see visitors as an investment, not as a cost."

A south-west Queensland Mayor has welcomed the move to boost eco-tourism in national parks.

Murweh Mayor Denis Cook says the council has teamed up with the Bulloo, Quilpie and Paroo shires to develop a tourism route called The Natural Sciences Loop, encompassing national parks and communities including Charleville, Thargomindah and Cunnamulla.

He says environmental impacts can be managed to ensure natural attractions are not jeopardised.